Vertical card file



Oct. 12, 1937. 5, w, FARRAR 2,095,662

VERTICAL CARD FILE Filed May 22, 1937 "UNITED STATES Patented Oct. 12, 1937 PATENT Q F 'EQ VERTICAL CARD. FILE George W. Farrar, Iberville, Quebec, Canada Application May 22, 1937, Serial No. 144,235

of the series of vertically pivoted cards. r

- A further object is to'provide a vertical card file of simple and inexpensive construction," efficient and rapid in operation anddurable and cleanly in use.

A further object is to provide a vertical card. file in which the cards arereadily removable and replaceable, and in which the attachments to the cards are of simple construction and are readily and rapidly mounted thereon. I

Hitherto in card files a considerable amount of fingering was required to find and expose any particular card. The cards became rapidly soiled and damaged and had to be replaced but by means of my invention this disadvantage is entirely overcome.

It is particularly adaptable to alphabetical or numerical lists, which are in constant use, and saves time in their operation.

Other objects will be set forth hereinafter. Reference is made to accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view.

Figure 2 is a vertical section.

Figure 3 is a section of a card and its attachments.

Figure 4 is a detail of a hinge tab.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section through the series of cards to illustrate the mode of operation.

Figure 6 shows a varied form of pivoting the cards on the frame.

Figure 7 is a section of a card with its special attachment.

Figure 8 is a detail of the special attachment.

The construction is as follows:

A rectangular frame I has an upper bar l0 and lower bar I. Projecting from the bottom of the upper bar I0 is a metal plate 20. A similar plate 2| projects from the top of the lower bar The plates and 2| each have a series of corresponding perforations. A fixed plate 22 projects from the bottom of the bar under the perforations of the plate 2|. On top of the bar I0 is a sliding plate 23 adapted to slide forward and cover the perforations of the plate 2|].

The cards 3 are mounted on metal pins 4 by means of tabs 30 at their corners as shown in Figure 2 with the ends of the pins 4 projecting above and below. The tabs 30 have thin backs 33 to fasten to the pins 4 and thickened wings 34 to be secured to the opposite sides of a card as shown in Figure 3. i r

The operation of the file is as follows:

In order to insert a card in the frame, the top plate 23 is slid backwards, a cardis then taken and the upper end of its pin is inserted up through a perforation in the plate 20 and pushed up until 10 the lower end of the pin can enter the corresponding perforation in the plate 2|. The card is then allowed to drop until its pin meets the plate22. The-platen is then slid forward to cover the upper end of the pin.

When a series of cards have been inserted in this manner and are swung to the left as shown in Figure 5 a slight pressure across the middle of the edges of the cards from right to left as shown by the Figure 5 will cause each card in turn as it is released, to swing around and lie to the right and expose its opposite side as shown by card 3A. When all the cards have swung to the right, pressure applied across the edges from left to right will reverse the operation. By this easy and rapid means either side of any card can be instantly found.

The cause of this operation is shown in Figure 5. The enlarged tabs on the cards hold them apart when swung to the right or left. When a slight pressure is applied to the top card it bends it to contact with the card below and creates a spring tension which when the card is released by the finger passing on, is sufficient to cause the card to swing around on its pivots and lie in the opposite direction exposing its other side. Simple as this action is, it is highly efficient and reliable. By means of a pointer it can be operated at a considerable distance.

The variation shown in Figures 6, 7 and 8 is as 40 follows:

The upper bar ID has a row of downwardly projecting short pins 4|. The lower bar II has a similar and corresponding row of upwardly projecting pins 4| but these are provided with a collar 42 near their points.

The cards 3 at their upper and lower corners have metal clips 3| secured to them. These clips 3| have on one face discs 32 partially punched out a short distance from the bend of the clip and bent to the horizontal. These discs 32' are perforated with holes to fit over the pins 4|. With this method of suspension the discs of one card bear on the clips of the next card and hold the series of cards apart when swung in either direction. The operation by pressure across the middle of the cards is identical with that which takes the place with the tabbed cards.

Frames carrying two or more rows of cards can be readily constructed.

What I claim is:--

1. In a vertical card file, a rectangular frame, a series of cards, closely pivoted vertically at one edge on the frame, having tabs at their pivoted edge adapted to maintain the cards apart, whereby pressure applied to their outer edges will bend them and produce a tension which when released will effect the reversal of the cards.

2. In a vertical card file, a rectangular frame, a series of cards, closely pivoted vertically atone edge on the frame and removable therefrom, having at their pivoted edge means adapted to maintain the cards apart when swung in either direction, whereby pressure applied to their outer edges will bend them and produce a tension which when released will effect the reversal of the cards.

3. In a vertical card file, a rectangular frame, a series of cards closely pivoted vertically at one edge on .the frame and. removable therefrom, having at their pivoted edge projections adapted to maintain the cards apart when swung in either direction, whereby pressure applied to their outer edges will bend them and produce a tension which when released will effect the reversal of the cards.

4. In a vertical card file, a rectangular frame, a series of cards closely pivoted vertically at one edge on the frame, having at their pivoted edge enlarged attachable tabs adapted to maintain the cards apart when swung in either direction,

whereby pressure applied to their outer edges will bend them and produce a tension which when released will effect the reversal of the cards.

5. In a vertical card file, a rectangular frame, perforated plates projecting from the top and bottom edges, a fixed plate below the lower plate, a removable plate above the upper plate, a series of cards mounted on pins of a length to extend between the removable and fixed plates, and thickened tabs securing the pins to the cards.

6. In a vertical card file, a rectangular frame, perforated plates projecting from the top and bottom edges, a fixed plate below the lower plate, a removable plate above the upper plate, a series of cards mounted on pins of a length to extend between the removable and fixed plates, and project above and below the cards, and thickened tabs securing the pins to the cards.

7. In a vertical card file, a rectangular frame, a series of cards pivotally mounted at one edge between the top and bottom of the frame, having enlargements adjacent their pivots adapted to hold the cards apart, whereby pressure applied to their outer edges Will bend them and produce a tension which when released will effect the reversal of the cards.

8. In a vertical card file, a rectangular frame, a series of pins projecting downwards from the top of the frame, a series of collared pins projecting upwards from the bottom of the frame and a series of cards having perforated hinge discs adjacent the corners of one edge adapted to hold the cards apart.

GEORGE W. FARRAR. 

